A letter

RuddBaron
Sept. 23, 2001, 8:45 p.m. (Message 27484)

Here is an open letter to America. Please read it, spread it around,
submit it to your local newspapers for publication, share it, forward
it, etc.
s/RBJ
From the Office of the Commander Emeritus
Georgia Chapter
The George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society
22nd September, 2001
Dear Fellow Americans,
I would like to discuss our recent events and current situation in America
from a unique historical perspective. Specifically, I would like to look at
it from the perspective of the philosophy of a great American, General George
S. Patton, Jr. In addition to being a loyal patriot and one of the greatest
Generals in American and World history, General Patton was a first-rate
historian. This contributed greatly to his success in warfare, and even today
there is much that can be learned from his maxims, writings, and actions.
Quotations I include in this letter are sayings of Patton unless otherwise
noted. On the 11th of September the first attack was made, and it will most
likely not be the last. We are fighting an enemy that is unlike any other. I
have heard many say "Bomb Afghanistan back to the Stone Age." While this is
an understandable sentiment, an air campaign alone will not defeat this
enemy. Commandos alone cannot defeat this enemy. The terrorist networks have
such an intense hatred for America that it is difficult for most Americans to
understand. General Patton wrote The Secret of Victory in 1926, and in it he
stated that "it's the cold glitter of the attacker's eye, not the point of
the questing bayonet, that breaks the line." Our enemy has an intense resolve
to destroy us. It is so intense that they are glad to commit suicide to
further their "cause." In order to defeat this enemy, every last citizen of
this country must develop this "cold glitter" in their eyes, and the resolve
that we all do whatever we must in order to win and eradicate the enemy. Even
more than the Japanese of WWII whom my grandfather fought, the terrorists are
prepared to fight to the last man. As in Vietnam, they hide in caves, not
choosing to fight in conventional battle. This is not a conventional battle.
We cannot afford to fight it that way.
I have also heard some say that this attack on New York and Washington, D.C.
was so simple; in fact, it was so simple that anyone could have done it.
Indeed it was quite simple. That is a basic combat tactic. It was simple; it
was direct. The terrorists trained as pilots in our country on the very
planes they would soon be using as makeshift cruise missiles. They rode the
flights they would later hijack in order to learn weaknesses in security,
when and how to strike, and other vital points. They had the element of
surprise. That is basic combat tactics. Our adversaries have significant
capabilities. We must not underestimate this fact, and therefore we must
"never let the enemy pick the battle site." If we do not take the initiative,
"[we'll] be playing into his game on his terms and fitting right into his
plans." Perhaps one of Patton's most famous sayings is highly appropriate:
"Grab 'em by the nose and kick 'em in the ass." This is true for any battle,
and it is what must be done in our current situation.
We must expect the enemy to attempt more such attacks on American soil in the
near future. "A large part of the decision-making process depends not only on
the information you possess about the enemy, his movements, and his
capabilities, but also on your past experience and knowledge." Patton
asserted that "because of [his] intense study of history, [he has] a
countermove for every move the enemy might make." We must be aware of the
methods our enemy use and what they have done in the past. The attack on the
World Trade Center is a spectacular example. The people of this great Nation
must be prepared for more such attacks, take precautions for them, and fight
them. We know they operate in an attempt to instill fear in us and disrupt
our business and daily lives. We must accept this and the possibilities of
what can happen. "Do not take counsel of your fears." Fear only gives the
enemy the edge. Let fear be the problem of our enemy, and we'll have the
edge. It's going to take resolve to win this war.
Patton said "it is better to fight for something in life than to die for
nothing." We the People must be willing to stand up for our nation, our
homes, our families and friends, and "never give up until [we] have attained
the top or the grave." My family has been in this great land for ten
generations. Others are recently naturalized American citizens. All came here
in search of freedom and a better life. We must all decide right here and now
if this idea and spirit we call America just a casual idea to be cheered when
convenient, or is it truly worth having and protecting. We must resolve that
our current feeling of intense patriotism shall never be diminished, even in
the face of future attacks from our enemy; and those attacks will come. This
war will be fought and won not only by our gallant fighting forces, but by
every citizen of this great nation. We must be determined to fight if another
airliner is hijacked. Remember that there are many passengers on a plane, but
few hijackers. We must be determined to fight to defend our homes and our
communities. We must be determined to support our government and our military
in their efforts to hunt down and exterminate terrorists, eradicate their
support networks, and destroy governments which support these networks. This
will not be an easy task, but we must be determined.
If General Patton was here today, and indeed if the Framers were here, I
believe they would all be thoroughly impressed with the unity our country has
shown in the past two weeks. The General proposed that "it is the
unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that
ensures victory." Our resolve is going to be tested as it has never been
tested before. This enemy does not understand reason and does not respond to
negotiation. No amount of love and compassion will change their attitude. We
did not ask for this situation, but Americans have always risen to the
challenge. Now is the time for all Americans to become true patriots and
stand shoulder to shoulder against this evil enemy of all humanity. God bless
America.
Pro Deus et Patria,
Sir Rutherford B. Johnson, CCS, MCS
Commander Emeritus,
Georgia Chapter
The Patton Society

Rudd,
You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and
the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related
comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive
and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the
extremists you seek to denigrate.
In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and
save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements.
Fiona.

>Rudd,
>You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and
>the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related
>comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive
>and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the
>extremists you seek to denigrate.
>
>In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and
>save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements.
>
>Fiona.
Well said Fiona.
Denise

Miss Fiona et al, (apologies to Miss Fiona if she has a husband, but
etiquette dictates I not "give her a husband" unless I know for sure she has
one.)
The description of "irrelevant material" is certainly quite subjective. The
Strathspey Server has provided a way for people around the world who are
joined by the common bond of Scottish Country Dancing to stay in touch
without, for instance, spending a fortune on long distance phone calls. As
the culture of our ancestral homeland (for many participating in SCD) of
Scotland is highly relevant to understanding and enjoying this form of dance,
the cultures of the various countries in which "displaced Scots" have found
themselves and in which non-Scots have taken up SCD can also be relevant, and
can yield further understand of the art form. For example, what is it about
this form of dance that makes it popular in Japan or Germany? What is going
on there right now that might affect this? Many dances, as you know, are made
based upon historical events...much like the one going on in the world right
now. Such events are indeed important to SCD, and no doubt several dances
will come out of it. As to the war at hand, I can only look to previous wars
such as WWII to say that the survival of freedom, including the freedom to
practice Scottish Country Dancing, depends entirely on winning the war.
Therefore the letter I sent, largely about things individuals can do to
assist, is highly relevant. But as I just said, relevance is a highly
subjective qualification.
As for "...[saving] the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements" and
other invectives, I shan't respond in kind. While I'm free, at least in this
country, to speak, you neither have to listen nor respond. On a list server
you may start reading, see it isn't something you want, and press the delete
key; or indeed if you consider anything I write to be "irrelevant
pronouncements", press the delete key without reading. In any case, if you
find it irrelevant, then why respond?
s/RBJ
In a message dated 9/24/01 4:25:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.xx writes:
<< Rudd,
You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and
the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related
comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive
and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the
extremists you seek to denigrate.
In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and
save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements.
Fiona. >>
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Slàinte mhath, h-uile latha, na chì 'snach fhaic. Slàinte mhòr.
An Ridir Radtherfòrd Beurach MacIain, MacSiamas